Days of Toil and Trial.
For over three years Ephesus was the center of Paul's work.A flourishing church was raised up here, and from this city the gospel spread throughout the province of Asia, among both Jews and Gentiles.
The apostle had now for some time had been contemplating another missionary journey.He "purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome." In harmony with this plan "he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus;" but feeling that the cause in Ephesus still demanded his presence, he decided to remain until after Pentecost.An event soon occurred, however, which hastened his departure.
Once a year, special ceremonies were held at Ephesus in honor of the goddess Diana.These attracted great numbers of people from all parts of the province.Throughout this period, festivities were conducted with the utmost pomp and splendor.
This gala season was a trying time for those who had newly come to the faith.The company of believers who met in the school of Tyrannus were an inharmonious note in the festive chorus, and ridicule, reproach, and insult were freely heaped upon them.Paul's labors had given the heathen worship a telling blow, in consequence of which there was a perceptible falling off in the attendance at the national festival and in the enthusiasm of the worshipers.The influence of his teachings extended far beyond the actual converts to the faith.Many who had not openly accepted the new doctrines became so far enlightened as to lose all confidence in their heathen gods.
There existed also another cause of dissatisfaction.An extensive and profitable business had grown up at Ephesus from the manufacture and sale of small shrines and images, modeled after the temple and the image of Diana.
Those interested in this industry found their gains diminishing, and all united in attributing the unwelcome change to Paul's labors.
Demetrius, a manufacturer of silver shrines, calling together the workmen of his craft, said: "Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: so that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshipeth." These words roused the excitable passions of the people."They were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians."A report of this speech was rapidly circulated."The whole city was filled with confusion." Search was made for Paul, but the apostle was not to be found.His brethren, receiving an intimation of the danger, had hurried him from the place.Angels of God had been sent to guard the apostle; his time to die a martyr's death had not yet come.
Failing to find the object of their wrath, the mob seized "Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel," and with these "they rushed with one accord into the theater."Paul's place of concealment was not far distant, and he soon learned of the peril of his beloved brethren.Forgetful of his own safety, he desired to go at once to the theater to address the rioters.But "the disciples suffered him not." Gaius and Aristarchus were not the prey the people sought; no serious harm to them was apprehended.But should the apostle's pale, care-worn face be seen, it would arouse at once the worst passions of the mob and there would not be the least human possibility of saving his life.
